Our program of shared stewardship is reflected in our evolving center mandala.

Mandala of Shared Stewardship

The Center mandala, or Circle of Life, represents our primary spheres of activity. These spheres are based on the Five Buddha Wisdoms as they appear in the chant “Gate of Sweet Nectar.” ZCLA uses this mandala as the organizing principle for governance. The "Gate" is celebrated every Sunday morning. A DVD of the ritual, along with interviews, is available from the online bookstore.

The Mandala keeps the big picture ever before us and also instructs us in the multi-directional quality of everyday life. Each sphere is a fractal of the entire mandala; every part contains the whole. The practice of Shared Stewardship is to realize and manifest in our daily functioning this underlying interfusion of all aspects of the mandala. All the activities required to maintain and run the Center are carried out as Zen training.

Circles of members have formed to carry out the activities in these spheres. Circles may arise from any part of the mandala; some become established to steward key functions, others arise and dissolve as various needs are addressed and met. All Circles are led by a steward, develop their own purpose and core values in accord with the Center's overall mission, and are linked to the mandala.